There are things in life you cannot learn in schools or from books. Some of life’s most important and unforgettable lessons are found while you are out in different parts of the world traveling. Here are some of the best things travel can teach you.

1. Your comfort zone expands more than you can probably imagine.
Traveling has a way of expanding your comfort zone in ways you probably have not imagined before. You may be the least adventurous person you know. But you might be surprised with the things you can do and discover about yourself during your travels. And as you travel more, you will find that breaking out of your comfort zone becomes easier.

2. You develop patience.
Patience is one of the greatest life lessons you can learn from traveling. You build it as you experience waiting for a lot of things — from airport security check lines to long layovers and more. You begin to deal unexpected situations like flight delays, missed trains, and getting lost among others in a more patient manner.

3. You try and experience new things.
No destinations are completely the same regardless of how similar they may seem at the onset. Every place has its own unique set of things to see and experience which makes every trip an opportunity to do something you have not done before. Whether it is trekking along ancient trails or going off-the-beaten paths while exploring a city, you will find a lot of new things to discover.

4. You learn to appreciate the smallest things.
Traveling allows you to see different facets of life. You learn about the great and the not-so-good aspects of places. You may even experience things that will make you appreciate the simple things at home that you usually take for granted. Travel keeps your senses in tune to everything around you and allows for truly immersive experiences.

5. You learn about other cultures and understand them better.
Travel is the best teacher when it comes to understanding other cultures better. It breaks stereotypes as you get a glimpse of the beliefs, customs, and traditions of other people. While you can read about culture in books and on the internet, there are certain nuances that you will only see as you get to experience some of what the locals see and do on a daily basis.

The two things can be a bit unrelated, but if we look at how beneficial they are to our mental health, we’ll realize that they’re two sides of the same coin.

Here are the three similarities between painting and traveling:

Stress-relieving

In this bustling world we live in, stress is an ordinary thing. To say that stress is so common is an understatement. Even toddlers these days get stressed according to psychologists. Good thing painting and traveling can fight stress!

Painting has been known as a therapeutic activity thanks to its healing capability. It can be used to vent out anger and misery, particularly when we speak of spray-painting. Dealing with paint colors can lessen stress, enhance mental health, and boost mood (more of this later). Painting is excellent at releasing the negativity from people and replacing that with optimism.

Traveling is also similar. It’s a stress reliever that we’re all familiar with. Going to other places can “declutter” the mind and help people cope with stress. Traveling makes us forget about the things and the people that cause stress in our lives. It’s an activity that allows us to renew our minds. Speaking of renewing, check out why you should use renewable energy in your workshop in https://www.yoursolarlink.com/blog/5-reasons-you-should-use-renewable-energy-in-your-workshop/. No wonder those who take trips a lot are more satisfied in their love life and profession than those who barely travels in a year. A study also found that people who go to a lot of vacations are less likely to be exhausted, stressed, and depressed.

Positivity

Traveling and painting can also make you feel accomplished, and when you have that sense of fulfillment, you can be happier in life. These two activities can, therefore, make you more confident as it boosts your self-esteem, makes you independent, and improves your decision-making skills.

Patience Extender

The third similarity they have is the ability to extend people’s patience. Painting can be a bit challenging especially if you’re painting a whole room or if you have no experience using a paint sprayer at all. Painting techniques may not be as easy as they sound too. You’ll have to read and practice a lot before you can paint like a professional handyman. Needless to say, you have to be extremely patient if you’re painting.

The same can be said for traveling. You could wait for a few minutes before you’re cleared from airport security and wait for a few hours to reach a new country. There could even be mishaps or unexpected delays along the way. Because of all the waiting that needs to be surpassed, traveling can also be considered a patience extender.

Be that as it may, painting and traveling are still great activities that can improve your overall mental health. They could be a bit stressful, but the amount of fun and joy they bring is far greater than the stress.

I’m one of those people who can’t begin my day without grabbing my coffee maker from The CoffeeChannel, brewing my coffee, and drinking it. If you’re like me, then I’m sure you know that there is joy in sensing that coffee fragrance and indulging in a warm cup of coffee early in the morning, and even in the middle of the day!

But there are times when we travel, and we think there’s no way we could take coffee with us to save us in the middle of a busy day. This is why I researched, and good thing I found the best ways to have a cup of joe on the road!

Coffee lovers can now enjoy a cup of their favorite coffee while they travel—regardless of whether it’s travel with pleasure or for business.

THE ESSENTIALS

Depending on what you prefer, you may bring only one or two of these essentials. But of course, you can bring them all.

Vacuum-Sealed Bottle

After brewing your coffee or making your favorite espresso recipe drink, store your coffee in a vacuum-sealed bottle. Get a high-quality one for the job. Trust me, even if you drink it at 3:00 in the afternoon, it would still stay as hot and fresh as if it was brewed in the morning.

Blue Bottle Travel Kit

If you want an all-in-one coffee kit you can take when you travel, then get yourself the Blue Bottle Travel Kit. The package includes a bag of quality beans, a grinder, and a pour-over setup for two so you could drink coffee any time of the day with your favorite buddy. Or you could take all for yourself. This is the kit that will help you avoid that free yet entirely crappy hotel coffee. It won’t make you settle for less.

You could even add your favorite bag of coffee beans if the ones included aren’t enough for you. You can choose to bring your favorite roasted beans, be sure to store them in an airtight container so that the oils will be preserved and the taste won’t be affected.

If coffee beans are a bit difficult to bring, then grind them first, and store them in a plastic bag. This will also save the time for grinding. If you want to have a variety of choices, I suggest you take a light, medium, and dark roast with you.

Minipresso

If you’re a lover of espresso, then you have to get the Minipresso. This bottle can brew one shot of espresso wherever you are. Because let’s be honest, there are times when all we need is one shot.

Extras

Of course, if you wish to enjoy your cup of joe on the road, the best way to do that is to add more flavor. You could add creamer, sugar, syrups, jellies, marshmallows, and whatever you wish to add! Sure, some hotels offer cream and sugar, but your favorite brand will still make a huge difference in the flavor and aroma of your coffee. It’s recommended to take along your preferred extras so that you won’t be disappointed.

It all boils down to how many things you’re willing to bring and how much time you have to prepare. In short, your coffee experience on the road will depend on how much you love coffee.

Jigsaw

Create delicate and irregular cuts with your jigsaw anytime, anywhere! This handheld tool is much lighter compared to a circular saw, and it uses a thin up-and-down blade that reciprocates. Its blade is ideal for cutting curves in wood because too many straight lines could be boring. You can use them with stencils too! Jigsaws are also perfect for making complicated holes in drywall. This baby can work with plastic, metals, and ceramics as well, as long as you use the correct blade.

If you’re looking for a jigsaw, always consider having one with lights, dust blowers, variable speeds, a laser line, and an orbital blade motion.

Jigsaws can either be corded or cordless. Corded ones are lighter and can be used for a longer time. Most of them are also more affordable than cordless models. Still, the choice depends on your preference.

Circular Saw

Although circular saws are generally huge and bulky, there are actually compact models you could take along with you if you need to work someplace else.

This saw with a rotating blade is probably the most used saw of all. This handheld tool is ideal for cutting lumber across and with the grain. It can even work with ceramic and masonry tiles if accuracy isn’t a priority.

These saws can also be battery operated or corded. Their blade sizes vary from 5-3/8″ to 6-1/2″ in diameter for cordless styles and 7-1/4″ in diameter for corded ones.

The power of a circular saw depends on its type. The corded saws’ power is expressed in amps, while the cordless models’ power is measured in volts.

For home use, look for a circular saw with 13-15 amps or at least 18 volts. You might also want to look for an electric brake which stops the blade quickly and a shaft lock that allows you to change blades fast. Also, if you’re a lefty, don’t forget to buy a circular saw that’s tailored for left-handed people.

Miter Saw

Just like a circular saw, this tool can be heavy. Then again, there are compact models available today.

Also referred to as the chop saw, this works with a rotating circular blade. It can make precise and clean cuts, whether they’re compound or not.

Know the uses of this versatile tool by watching the YouTube video below.

Reciprocating Saw

Last but definitely not the least, this saw is best for demolition. No other tool can tear down better than the reciprocating saw! It’s used for heavy-duty tasks and can either be cordless or corded.

If you don’t have the budget for a cordless one, you can settle with compact corded ones instead—they’re much lighter and cheaper.

If you are thinking of traveling to Japan anytime soon, here are some of the best apps that will help you make the most of your trip and navigate your way around Tokyo streets and subways as well as other places across Japan.

1. Airbnb
Download from: App Store or Google Play
A growing number of tourists are now using AirBnB to look for accommodations that best fit their personal preferences, requirements, and budget. From budget-friendly rooms to spacious yet affordable apartment units, this app will help you search with ease for the right accommodation for you.

2. Google Translate
Download from: App Store or Google Play
Unless you speak and read Japanese, getting around can be a bit tricky at times when you cannot figure out a word written on posted signs or labels on items you want to buy. But thanks to this app’s Instant Camera Translation feature, you can make sense of the words you need to understand if needed.

3. Gurunavi
Download from: App Store or Google Play
One does not travel to Japan without exploring its glorious cuisines. Gurunavi is a foodie traveler’s dream and a handy app for anyone who finds it a challenge to look for the best spots for delicious Japanese eats. This restaurant guide provides information on a wide array of restaurants and hole-in-the-wall eateries.

4. Tokyo Handy Guide
Download from: App Store or Google Play
Tokyo Handy Guide serves as the official guide to the city by the tourism board. This app helps tourists find a wealth of information including points of interest, maps, cultural attractions, and more.

5. Tokyo Metro Subway Map and Route Planner
Download from: App Store or Google Play
This app is exactly what its name suggests – a metro subway map and route planner in one. You can find a downloadable map of Tokyo that shows the Metro and Toei Subway lines so you can plan your trips around better.

Traveling in Japan does not have to be as expensive as it is often believed to be. You can actually do a lot of things in Tokyo for cheap or at no cost at all. Here are some of the best free things you can do in Japan’s capital city.

Enjoy panoramic views of the city at the observatories you can access for free like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatories, Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center view deck located the 8th floor of the building, the observation room at the Tower Hall Funabori, and the observation lounge at the Bunkyo Civic Center among others.

Take a stroll around the Imperial Palace.

Explore the Imperial Palace East Gardens.

Join one of the scheduled free guided tours of the Imperial Palace.

Learn about Japanese alcohol and enjoy the free tastes at the Japanese Sake Information Centre.

Take a self-guided tour of Yebisu Beer Museum to learn more about one of the country’s most famous brews.

Sample delicious free beers as you take a one-hour free tour of the Suntory Brewery Musashino Factory.

Discover the world of Japan’s national sport that dates back to hundreds of years ago at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Museum (Sumo Museum).

Browse the products on display and learn about making crafts at the various demonstrations at the Japan Traditional Craft Center.

Escape in the tranquil surroundings and find a spot to relax while taking in the nature scenery at the Meiji Jengu Shrine.

Visit the Sensoji Temple and window shop at the Nakamise-dori which is said to be one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan.

Enjoy the scenery and attractions around Tokyo Station.

Take a look at the extensive collection of guidebooks and other travel-related books at the Travel Library located near the Tokyo Station.

Watch the famous tuna auction at Tsukiji Fish Market. Make sure that you arrive on or before 5:00AM to apply for one of the limited slots at the Osakana Fukyu Center (Fish Information Center).

Greetings!

Joe’s Got to Go is a site about life on the go. On this website you will find content covering an extensive list of topics including places to go, top-rated and off-the-beaten path adventures, tools and resources for people on the go, life on the road, and so much more.